10 Reasons Your First Run After A Break Is AMAZING

Well, hey there readers! Are you ready for your first run after a long break? I’m a million kinds of pumped to be back with you today. Yeeeees, I know, it has been too long. I will own up to it: I fell off the wagon! Not only did I not blog, I ALSO DID NOT RUN. *sharp intake of breath* I know, what gives? Well, several things. The kiddo (who’s 2 and a half now) finally started giving me serious pushback on the whole spending-time-in-the-stroller thing. I guess it’s kind of boring to be strapped into a wheeled cart and slowly pushed around town. Who knew? I also started really loving hiking with her in the pack, and we have some world-class hiking trails around here, so we’ve been doing a ton of that instead of running. And then the weather turned rainy, cold and cruddy, and drying out soggy strollers is no fun.

But now? Yes, my sweet HeyRunnerMama readers, it is the new year. Cheers to 2017! Time to get the butt in gear. For one thing, the Portland to Coast team I’m on has grown enough to branch out a bit, and I’ve found myself in the fast-walkin’ fancypants elite division. It’s never too early to start getting lean and mean (okay, lean-er-ish and still sweet) for PTC because we are going to ROCK that business.

There might be some caffeine happening here.

I’ve also got fun goal races in mind for this year, so stay tuned for some brand spankin’ new race recaps! And of course, as you plan your own upcoming race season, check out the HeyRunnerMama race reviews to get a feel for what some of those popular events are like.

So, hopping back into those running shoes, I noticed something: That first run after a break? It’s secretly amazing! Here’s why:

1.

Self care time – For the span of 30-45 minutes, I don’t have to answer any preschooler questions or respond to the call of kiddo potty training? Followed by an actual shower? I am the Queen of Sheba right now.

2.

Fresh legs – None of those aches and pains, or the feeling of heavy, lead-filled legs that sometimes show up near the end of a training season. Your legs are floating along, fresher than a toothpaste commercial.

3.

You can take it slow – You don’t have to reach that goal pace, or run long miles. The point of the first run is checking off that first run.

4.

Running past that drive through – On one of my routes, I run right past a Burgerville. You can smell the grease, and see the line of people idling in their cars waiting for a bag of fast food. That could be you right now, but you’re on a higher plane. Is this how angels feel?

5.

Coach Janet is happy when we get off our butts – Coach Janet is our Portland to Coast team badass, and she wants us in shape. Coach Janet eats hills for breakfast. Coach Janet once kicked a horse in the chin. Its descendants today are known as giraffes. When Coach Janet works out she doesn’t get stronger, the machines do. Do not cross Coach Janet.

6.

7.

You get to use the #seenonmyrun tag on Instagram again. Run selfies, anyone?

8.

No more running jealousy. When you’re riding in the car and you see someone out running, and you think, “That should be me right now!” Well, now you can give those people a mental high five because you flipping ran today.

9.

That feeling when you’re done – Feels pretty great, to be honest. You get that sweet surge in optimism, that emotional calm of a quiet mind and body. Your lungs and muscles feel like they’ve been challenged and are rebuilding, getting stronger, and if they could talk you know they would say “thank you”.

10.

Pizza and beer later – Because we’ve earned it! Whoops, I mean, JUST KIDDING, COACH JANET! (shh, pass the parmesan)

Do you love or hate that first run after a long break? Tell us about it in the comments!